His Holiness the Dalai Lama joins panel discussion with neuroscientists

September 17th 2011

Sao Paulo, Brazil, 16 September 2011 - Today, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in a full-day open symposium on
‘States of Consciousness: Traditional Knowledge Meets Neuroscience’ held
at the Golden Hall of World Trade Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The
symposium was co-hosted by Federal University of Sao Paulo and the
Albert Einstein Research Hospital’s Brain Center.

The Golden Hall of the World Trade
Center, venue for the neuroscience symposium with His Holiness the Dalai
Lama in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 16, 2011.

Before attending the symposium, His Holiness met
privately with Dr. Walter Manna Albertone, Dean of the Federal
University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and Dr Claudio Lottenberg, President
of the Albert Einstein Research Institute, as well as the panelists of
the symposium which included Dr. Luiz Eugenio de Mello, Prof. Edson
Amaro, Prof. Elisa H. Kozasa, Dr. Caroline Schnakers, Dr. Adrian Owen,
Dr Tamara Russell, and Geshe Lobsang Tenzin.

Dr. Luiz Eugenio A. M. Mello, a former Dean of the
Federal University of Sao Paulo, opened the symposium by giving a brief
background of the UNIFESP-Tibet Partnership Program started during His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s previous visit to Sao Paulo in April 2006.
Dr. Walter Manna Albertone, Dean of the Federal University of Sao Paulo
(UNIFESP) and Dr Claudio Lottenberg, President of the Albert Einstein
Research Institute, highlighted the importance of the symposium and
welcomed the panelists of the symposium as well as audience.

The morning session of the symposium focused on a
panel discussion on Minimal and Unusual States of Consciousness. At the
session, Dr. Caroline Schnakers of the University of Liegue, Belgium,
gave a presentation on Minimally Consciousness State—clinical
implications; Dr. Andrian Owen, Canada Excellence Research Chair in
Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging of the University of Western Ontario,
spoke on Minimally consciousness state—Neuroimaging research; and Geshe
Lobsang Tenzin Negi of Emory University in Atlanta spoke on
Consciousness from the Buddhist perspective. After the presentation His
Holiness the Dalai Lama gave brief remarks. This was followed by
discussion among the panelist. This session was moderated by Dr. Luiz
Eugenio A. M. Mello.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to members of the press in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 16, 2011.

In the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a
Press Meeting with the Brazilian media. At the press meet His Holiness
said that too much attention is being paid to a secondary level of
difference between people and neglected the basic oneness of human
beings. Similarly, he said, not only in the past but even today there
are conflicts in society based on religious traditions. Therefore, he
said, he makes an effort to highlight these values and the oneness of
human beings as well as promoting harmony among various religious
traditions. He said that the media too has equal responsibility to
spread information about these things, apart from reporting sensational
news about day to day events.

Since Brazil is an emerging economy and it is
growing rapidly, he said, there may be possibility that some mischievous
people may want to take advantage and exploit the situation. As such,
he said, it is important for the media to be alert and report
objectively on the unhealthy practices in the society including
corruption.

While commenting on question about His Holiness’
observation about progress in ecological protection and social
development since the Rio de Janeiro World Environment Summit in1992,
His Holiness said in general, there is more awareness on the ecological
issue and more enthusiasm among governments to redress the ecological
destruction, which, he thinks, are positive signs, although some
governments want to put the individual nation’s interest before the
global interest, which, he thinks, is not a sound approach.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with panelists at the neuroscience symposium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 16, 2011.

After the press meet, His Holiness went to the
Golden Hall of World Trade Center to join the second session of the open
Symposium on ‘States of Consciousness — Traditional Knowledge meets
with the Neuroscience. The second session of the symposium focused on
panel discussions on Brain Plasticity and Contemplative Practice. During
the session, Dr. Adison Amaro of the Unviersity of Sao Paulo and
Director of the Brain Center of the Sao Paulo based Albert Einstein
Research Hospital, gave his presentation on brain plasticity
implications in cognition and emotions; Dr Tamara Russell of London
King’s College, spoke about clinical applications of contemplative
practices; and Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi of Emory University spoke about
brain plasticity and contemplative practice. After presentations, His
Holiness gave a brief remark and this was followed by lively discussions
among the panelists including His Holiness. Later, His Holiness also
responded some questions from the audience. The session was moderated
by Dr. Elisa H. Kozasa.

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